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I love mixtapes. Although I think they are now obsolete because radios no longer have tape decks attached. That’s messed up. I used to make mixtapes all the time as a kid. I’d sit in my room and wait for that one song on the radio to come on, poise my finger over the record/play button, and then push the buttons simultaneously after the DJ introduced the song. At the time, that was the only way I’d get new music because my parents would only allow me to buy an album once every three months or so. They thought spending 10 dollars on a cassette was a waste of money. Unless, of course, I was buying something they liked. Like Elvis or Earth, Wind, and Fire, artists I appreciate now but when you’re twelve and are DYING for that new No Doubt album with Spiderwebs, Elvis and Earth, Wind, and Fire have zero relevance.

My favorite part about making mixtapes was coming up with the theme and revolving all the songs around that one theme. Isn’t that everybody’s? I made one mixtape with the theme, “Cuban Dance Party,” which consisted solely of songs from Gloria Estefan’s Gloria! album. I know, I should’ve just called it Gloria! but “Cuban Dance Party” sounded so much better. Besides, I still had enough tape to include other Gloria-esque songs.

Lately I’ve been on this empowerment trip, listening to all my favorite divas and Lilith Fair ladies. Don’t judge. Listening to the new Beyonce album, Liz Phair, and Aretha Franklin on rotation has been very therapeutic for me. These women tell it like it is.